The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-11-27

the service. This organization differs from
that of the United State, in that the chief Of
the service acts under the minister of public
works, instead OF the Secretary of War. while
the officials in charge are State civil en-
guccrs instead of being army officers. The
further difference, that the districts are again
divided into small circuits having resident
engineer in charge is made necessary princi-
pally 10y the fact that all existing river and
harbor works are kept i'm good condition.
and for this purpose demand constant over
sight. For such maintenance an item is in
serted IN the annual appropriatoHbillw which
is determined from the average OF several
years experience.
In the mattcrof determining what harhors
and rivers shall be improved, the system i
radically different from that OF the United
StatcS-thc general government acting on
the advice Of its engineers, who make report
upon works that are needed. This does not
mean to exclude action or agitation I'm favor
Of desired improvements hy others, hc they
nayigators, merchants, riparian or property
owners; hut IL is the rule that such motions
or petitions 90 first 10 the engineers who
have the district in charge, or To the gov.
crnment These projects are then exam.
incd aud are pursued further or declined
II the parties in interest wish Ia appeal. they
may bring the matter to the attention Of the
legislative bodies by appeal through a mem
Der of one Of those houses. The minister ot
public works prepares all plans and esti-
mates, and, in consultation with the minis.
ter of finance, causes the necessary upprO-
priations to I've placed in the estimates for
the next year, The annual appropriation
hill i presented 10 both houses of the Lcgis.
laturc together with the plans and estimates
h.tl.. In, ia
the minister OF public works, or the chief
engineer Of the service, or the engineers who
have had the matter diWrllN in charge,
ARE present aud defend the government
presentation of the subject In committee no
less than In both houses. During these pro-
cccdings all proposed amendments and
changes are agreed upon. In case such
agreements be not reached, the government
engineers withdraw the proposed appUpria-
ton item or else the Rcichstng defeats the
same. In case members present motions Tor
the construction OF new works which the
government has already declined in answer
| to parties In interest, debate or cnusidCm-
| ton in committee follows, during which the
| representatives ~ the executive are enabled
| To give their reasons for having declined 10
entertain the proposal. In case the Reich.
| stag Is of opinion that the executive !, IN
| the wrong II passes vote that plans and
| estimates be prepared aud presented nj the
| following session. Paying heed Ia the de
mguds aud opinion uf popular representa-.
/ ton pressed during the proceedings, the cN.
/ cCutivc i enabled "a give the matter further
/ careful consideration, and there usually fol
! lows an agreement at thc next session. The
! lower House may refuse, reduce, or enlarge
| each separate item of the appropriation bill.
/ the upper Chamber may only accept or re-.
| icct the bill ~ whole. In case the hill be
/ thus rejected ON account ol Objectionable
/ items therein contained, the hill goes hnck
/ to the lower House, and that body comics "a
/ some agreement with tho upper Chamber.
To summarize:
! l. Demands Tor river and harhor i'm
| pruyCmrnts, whether Cmauating from th,
/ government engineers or from others, an,
/ much morc carefully studied aud are pr
/ scented tn the two houses only IN case aud ir
| so far 10, the executive believes IL may Ice rv
| sponsihlc to the country fGg their cost,
| . During the debates Ia the two house
| the member, 1T the executive branch arr
| present aud take part In the discussions COZ.
| corning amendments,
/ B. In ease either house takes the iutiativ,
| fur q now river or hnrhur work, the cNccu
| tive i charged with the preparation of th,
/ necessary plans and estimates, and th'
/ project come, up for action again ~ the mex
| session.
l. definite plan NJ action = established
Tor hll large works ucccs-imting scprs o
years for srir construction, which deter
mine, the total amount requisite aud Oh,
amount tu hr expended from year a. year
/ Zoo upprppnutIus the sum needed Tor the ycui
tp come. the two houses ALA approve th,
| whole plan 1T procedure They du not
/ huvryrr. deprive Themselves thereby II th,
| right tu uiu.p, uhuiFn ur enlarge thc ap
preparation as pvr plan adopted in any q
the year following. Ia ease they deem Hurl
step cullcd iorby the circumstances the
| iu effect
%. 4 fixed sum l. annually appropriate
Tor the proper maintenance ~ ell cNistiu
l river aud hhrlur works. which. o. rule, be-
cumc. % subject 81 discussion only in cns'
thruyunl or average amount hp Increased, 90
account of notable increase in course al
time. iu the extent OF thu work, tu be- main
tanned.
The plan pursued in Russia would seem q,
be- the best Tint the wisdom aud experience
NJ men hls been able tp produce aud nigh
be- studied with profit 10y American lgris
laiur,
aHaa